For the second group of companies in The eFactory’s Accelerator program, created by Missouri State University and funded in part by the Chamber and its development arm, the Springfield Business Development Corporation, May 1 was the culmination of 12 weeks of hard work. It was also the beginning of a new phase of development for these fledgling enterprises.

The four startup businesses presented their business plans and updates on their development during the Demo Day event at the Gillioz Theatre:

Let’s Do Lunch, a mobile application that acts as a sort of mini personal assistant by organizing potential lunch meetings, tracking contacts and offering dining options

Reaction, a mobile app that gives restaurant and retail customers the opportunity to take quick, in-store surveys in exchange for immediate discounts

Apt Crowd, a technology company that helps people in online forums find better answers more quickly by connecting them with past conversations, subject matter experts or useful products

Solely Jolie, a water-free beauty tool that keeps brushes clear and clean during daily use, helping reduce transfer of germs, reduce acne and cut down on stains and mess

“Because of the Accelerator, we were able to go from some chicken scratch on some wireframe templates to a fully developed, live mobile app in just three months,” said Let’s Do Lunch founder Hector Cruz. “The people and financial investment from the Accelerator is the main reason Let's Do Lunch has become a reality.”

The goal is that these presentations, along with the connections the companies have made during the 12-week process, will lead to additional business contacts and investments that will allow the companies to grow and prosper. Chad Boschert, founder and CEO of Apt Crowd, mentioned several important benefits of the accelerator programming.

“For me personally, the program provided a condensed education of all the components of operating a high-growth business,” he said. “Every day we met with some of the smartest minds in Springfield and had the opportunity to pick their brains about their respective expertise and form lasting relationships.”

But as Cruz points out, the Accelerator—and The eFactory in general—also serve a greater purpose.

“To have a resource like the eFactory right here in our community is an incredible asset to our business community,” he said. “There's no reason that Springfield cannot become the central hub for business and economic development in the entire Midwest.”